2026 Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the aerospace & aeronautical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for aerospace & aeronautical engineering in California. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $25,300. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $66,477 early in their careers. Set against $25,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,295 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $78,320. That is a strong return on a $26,295 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aerospace & aeronautical engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,305 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $65,401. That is a strong return on a $21,305 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aerospace & aeronautical engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $111,760. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,950 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $67,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot for aerospace & aeronautical engineering value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $90,170. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $71,633. That is a strong return on a $19,058 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #9 among the best values for aerospace & aeronautical engineering. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $96,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #10 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates is $23,000. Early-career aerospace & aeronautical engineering graduates make about $74,375. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology came in at #11 for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, aerospace & aeronautical engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
University Of Southern California earned the #12 position for value in aerospace & aeronautical engineering this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $21,140 to complete the aerospace & aeronautical engineering program here. Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $95,562 early in their careers. Set against $21,140 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering](/majors/engineering/aerospace-and-aeronautical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong aerospace & aeronautical engineering education at a price that pays off.
